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  • Pakistan's confirmed coronavirus cases jump to 1,179, Nine deaths confirm

    Corona virus updates File Photo Corona virus updates

    The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan jumped to 1179 Thursday morning after more people tested positive in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Sindh reported eight new cases in the country, seven in Karachi and one in Hyderabad, taking the provincial tally to 421.

    Punjab also reported dozens new cases, taking the provincial tally to 394.

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir reported a new case, taking the total in the region to two.

    Gilgit-Baltistan reported seven new cases, taking its toll to 84.

    Earlier, the national dashboard had reported five new cases in Islamabad, taking the total to 25.

    Meanwhile, Balochistan also reported 12 new cases in the province, taking the provincial tally to 131.

    In KP, according to a report by the KP Health Department, 43 new cases were reported, taking the provincial tally to 123.

    Deaths from virus

    The country had reported its nine death from the virus on Wednesday.

    The national dashboard, maintained by the federal ministry of health, did not specify in which province the death has taken place.

    The woman had travelled from abroad and been under treatment since March 21. Her body has been returned to her village for her last rites.

    On Tuesday, Punjab had reported its first death from the virus.

    On Sunday, Balochistan had reported its first death, a 65-year-old man, who had been under treatment at the Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital.

    Earlier, a doctor from Gilgit Baltistan, who had been fighting against the virus on the frontlines, was reported as the fifth casualty.

    On Sunday, March 22, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir had announced the country’s fourth death from the virus.

    On March 20, Pakistan had recorded its third death from the virus. Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had confirmed the death of a 77-year-old COVID-19 patient in the province.

    Two patients from KP who tested positive for the coronavirus were reported as the country’s first two deaths.

    Coronavirus: Sindh Govt decides to purchase machines

    Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah said that Sindh needed 5,000 more ventilators to deal with a health emergency, but in the first phase, he was approving the purchase of 290 ventilators, 3.2 million Personal Protective Equipment, 100 Rapid Kit Antigen Test Machines, 100,000 testing kits, 50 RT Lamp Testing Machines, 10,000 RT Lamp Kits and 29 portable X-ray machines.

    Role of Media to Combat Coronavirus

    Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has advised electronic media to curtail fear syndrome among masses while covering news related to coronavirus.

    Read more: COVID-19: PEMRA advises electronic media to promote optimism

    The authority asked the channels to invest their energies and resources in mobilizing the whole nation for prevention and necessary measures to curb this menace.

    Govt permits Islamabad to Gilgit & Skardu domestic flight operation 

    The government has decided to permit domestic flight operation to and from Islamabad International airport for Gilgit and Skardu from today till 2nd of next month.

    Coronavirus effect on Olympic

    The Tokyo Olympics are to be postponed until 2021 after talks between Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, and the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach.

    “We agreed that a postponement would be the best way to ensure that the athletes are in peak condition when they compete and to guarantee the safety of the spectators,” Abe told reporters shortly after his conversation with Bach, adding that the Games would be held by the summer of 2021.

    Coronavirus diagnosis in international  personalities 

    The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus and is working from home with mild symptoms.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel will quarantine herself at home after being treated by a doctor who has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, AFP quoted a government spokesman as saying.

    “[Merkel] has decided to quarantine herself immediately at home. She will be tested regularly in the coming days (and) fulfil her official business from home,” Steffen Seibert said in a statement.

    It could take some time to determine whether the chancellor is herself infected as “a test would not yet be fully conclusive,” Seibert said.

    On other hand, Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the head of the state corrections officers union.

    Weinstein, 68, has been placed in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility, said Michael Powers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

    Powers said he learned that the test came back positive on Sunday morning and is concerned about the corrections officers, who he said lack proper protective equipment. Several staff have been quarantined, Powers said.

    A Clarence House spokesman said he was "displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual"